Imagine my delight when I heard on the radio today that BBC Radio Humberside would be at tonights game at Queensgate to cover the game with both teams expected to put out fairly strong teams. Fantastic !! And as an added bonus, Burnsey and Gwillym Lloyd would be doing their radio show from the ground tonight also. This should bring the fans flocking !!
Then bugger me, i heard the report at about 4.30 to hear that the Championship team were bringing only 1st year pro’s and that no 1st teamer would be playing. Pisser.
I know that clubs like Hull are in demand pre-season especially when clubs like ours look forward to the game as much for the prestigiousness as well as the cash. When i was a kid watching my local team in the 70’s, the local pro teams would always send a side to help generate some experience and cash for the club to survive on for the rest of the season, a “West Ham XI” would contain 3/4 reserves, 3/4 youth team and 3/4 pro’s – Billy Bonds or Trevor Brooking, you know someone you’ve heard of – likely hood the pro’s were trying to regain fitness after a late season knock. Tottenham, Leyton Orient, QPR, Watford would all send a team. It was always a special night.
We played the Tigers last season, with several 1st teamers trying to get back to fitness, this included Nick Barmby. Quality player over the years with the likes of England Liverpool Tottenham and back to his hometown club. One thing i noticed and I still remember it today, was “what a brilliant player, what a miserable sod” When he came off mid way through the second half, the youngsters were going up and asking for autographs, he would sign them but he didn’t look happy doing so (I could be wrong and for balance this is only my view!), I’m sure that when he was a kid he would have been overjoyed at getting such a great autograph and that the pro concerned would have smiled and been happy to sign. In 1980 I remember getting my little sister to get Tony Woodcocks autograph for me, coz i was so scared about asking, never mind that i had just had a 20 minute kickabout with him at non-league Wealdstone’s ground. perhaps i was just in awe of one of Englands best forwards at the time. Forests great 79 team profile incl T Woodcock
It’s things like this that stay with a kid forever and remind them how magical football is at all levels and at all ages.
